Treatment for Thalassemia depend on the type and severity of the disorder. Doctors use three standard treatments for moderate and severe forms of Thalassemia, which are explained below:
- Medical Management
- Surgery / Procedures
- Supportive care
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Mild thalassemia (trait):
Genetic Counselling: Treatment is not required in this stage. They need genetic counselling, because they may pass the mutant gene on to their children. -
Moderate or severe thalassemia:
Blood Transfusion: Give healthy red blood cells with normal haemoglobin over the intravenous (IV) line into one of the blood vessels. It usually lasts for 1 to 4 hours.
The RBC lives only for about 120days, so it may need a repeated blood transfusion to maintain a healthy supply of RBC.
Beta-thalassemia intermedia patients need blood transfusion on occasion, but for beta-thalassemia major (Cooley’s anaemia), patients need a regular blood transfusion (often every 2 to 4 weeks). - Iron Chelation Therapy: Regular blood transfusion can lead to a buildup of iron in the blood (iron overload, which causes damage to the liver, heart, and other parts of the body), so doctors use iron chelation therapy to remove excess iron from the body. Once your serum Ferritin levels are high, this is done with tablets and regularly monitored with blood tests and medication doses adjusted.
- Folic Acid Supplements: Helps to build healthy RBC.
